The Uganda Electoral Commission, [EC] has on Saturday suspended with immediate effect all political campaigns in 12 districts and cities which according to the ministry of Health are high-risk areas for the spread of the deadly global -novel- Covid 19 pandemic.
This was revealed in a brief statement released by the Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama that all physical campaigns in Kampala, Wakiso among other major districts are suspended citing the surging cases of COVID-19.
Justice Simon Byabakama announced on surterday that, no campaign meetings will be held in Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, Kasese, Masaka, Wakiso, Kabarole, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo, Kampala and Tororo.
According to Byabakama, presidential candidates were cautioned against holding processions while traversing the country for votes, but many have continued to hold processions and disregard all EC and Ministry of Health guidelines on Covid-19 amidst the growing cases.
“Due to the surging coronavirus cases and continued processions by presidential candidates, physical campaign meetings in Kampala have been suspended by the electoral commission until further notice,” Justice Byabakama said.
Other areas where physical campaign meetings have been suspended include; Masaka, Wakiso, Greater Mukono, Jinja, Mbarara, Kabarole and Kalungu.
Uganda is currently at Stage four of the Coronavirus pandemic with various spontaneous community cases of COVID-19 whose source cannot be traced by health officials.
Several reports have also indicated that health facilities are currently overwhelmed by Coronavirus patients.